Coalition won't neglect Sydney: Abbott

Date: January 30 2013

Voters in western Sydney will not be taken for granted if the coalition wins government, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.

"What we are offering the people of the west is more job security through abolishing the carbon tax, lower cost of living through abolishing the carbon tax and more freedom to move by funding in part the West Connex project," Mr Abbott told the Seven Network on Wednesday.

The opposition will target seats in Sydney's west, the location of three of the ten most marginal electorates in Australia, in the September election.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced on Wednesday a federal election would be held on Saturday, September 14.

Mr Abbott said the coalition would focus on scrapping the mining and carbon taxes, stopping asylum-seeker boats and putting the budget back in the black.

"You'll see our fiscal position after the government announces its fiscal position," he added.

Coalition now plans to release costing details of its policies in stages after the federal budget is delivered on May 14.

"In same cases, it will probably be after the Pre-Election Financial Outlook (PEFO) statement in other cases," Mr Abbott said.

The departments of Treasury and Finance will release the PEFO 10 days after the writs for the election have been issued on August 12.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Abbott said the coalition was ready for the election, despite the surprise announcement by Ms Gillard.

"It's more tax or less. It's more regulation or less. It's less competence or more. It's less freedom or more," he said.

"That's the clear choice facing the Australian people on September the 14th."

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